Politico: Trump Downplays N. Korea Missile Launches

May 10, 2019, 9:53 PM

FILE - In this May 5, 2019, photo, people watch a TV showing a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program reporting a North Korean missile launch, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. North Korea tested two more missiles on May 9. — FILE – In this May 5, 2019, photo, people watch a TV showing a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program reporting a North Korean missile launch, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. North Korea tested two more missiles on May 9.

WASHINGTON —

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he did not not consider North Korea's recent launch of short-range ballistic missiles "a breach of trust."

In an interview with Politico, Trump downplayed the missile tests by North Korea, calling them "very standard stuff."

"They're short-range and I don't consider that a breach of trust at all. And, you know, at some point I may. But at this point, no," Trump said.

North Korea fired two short-range missiles on Thursday, its second such test in less than a week.

The Pentagon said the launches consisted of ballistic missiles that flew in excess of 300 km (185 miles) and landed in the ocean.

Trump said he might eventually lose faith in his friendly relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which he has previously described as "very strong."

"I mean, it's possible that at some point I will, but right now, not at all," Trump said.

On Thursday, Trump appeared to hold the door open for more talks with North Korea.

"The relationship continues … I know they want to negotiate, they're talking about negotiating. But I don't think they're ready to negotiate," he told reporters.

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